Book One – Chapter 8

You can distinguish midnight stalkers at first glance. They are imbued with potent Rothar from birth. Regardless of the common colours of their original species, their fur, scales, or feathers are always of a deep midnight black; a matte coal black that does not shine or show structure, but instead absorbs all light around them. Their eyes, akin to those of wizards who used second sight, gleam silver like the moon.

Midnight’s dark fur transforms under the moonlight, which brings out elegant streaks of silver. When Yves was born, her silver strands concentrated just around her eyes, barely visible. As she matured, the silver fur gradually became more pronounced and extended from under and above her eyes to her throat, shoulders and the back of her head.

This silvery adornment is not merely aesthetic; it is an integral part of her magical prowess. The strands act as conduits for Adhar, naturally channelling and integrating raw energy into her body, which in turn manifests in her ability to merge seamlessly with her dark surroundings. Aligned with her role as the familiar of a Lightshifter, her fur can absorb light, rendering her but an indistinguishable, blurry shadow even when spotted in dim environments.

Beyond her camouflage, Midnight wields an array of other abilities. Midnight stalkers, whether avian or terrestrial, move with an uncanny silence, their wings making no sound, their land-bound steps exceeding the natural stealth of their common species. Midnight’s padded paws, featuring thick, velvet-like cushions, facilitate such silent movement.

Her eyesight, adapted for nocturnal settings, allows her to distinguish a variety of colours and ethereal energies that are imperceptible to the humanoid eye. This renders her not just a companion but a formidable scout in the service of her wizard, whose visual senses are sub-par.